Parke County officials say a vendor selling what appear to be slave shackles at the Covered Bridge Festival isn't breaking any laws.
A picture of the shackles is spreading widely across social media. Inscribed on the front are the words "negro woman or child only" and "property of Georgetown County plantation police."
It's unclear whether the shackles are authentic or replicas. Linda Wann posted the photo on her Facebook page. She's been attending the festival for 15 years and says this experience has tarnished her memories of the event.
"When I actually wrote the post I was in tears because I was just so disgusted and in shock that in 2017 [someone] is selling this to make a profit," Wann says.
Parke County Incorporated requires every vendor to have a license to sell products at the festival. However, officials say individual private landowners can rent out their property to vendors. Jim Meece is the President of the Board of County Commissioners. He says selling the shackles is like selling any antique and it's unfortunate that people are offended.
"Most of the people are even amazed that it ever became an issue because they understand no one is promoting racism," Meece says. "It's just an item from our past that someone has offered for sale … as long as it's not some illegal activity they can do those types of things and if you don't like you just need not to engage."
Attempts to reach the vendor were unsuccessful, but Meece says he suspects the booth is still operating because it is being done legally.